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45 ACP

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We shot 32 different loads of 45 ACP self-defense ammo into ballistic gel

45 automatic colt pistol ammo is the perfect complement for your 1911 pistol or other 45 ACP chambered handgun. You'll generally find .45 auto ammunition for sale loaded with bullets that range between 185 grain and 230 grain, with the 230 gr. variety the most common.

Check out our full line-up of in-stock .45 cal ammunition for sale with full metal jacket (FMJ) and lead round nose bullets and also jacketed hollow point (JHP) rounds ready for your next trip to the range. Shooters looking to get some practice or training time in will likely lean toward a full metal jacket projectile while those looking for a round they can rely upon for self defense will want to get a more sophisticated jacketed hollow point bullet that is designed to expand upon impact with its target. In either case, check out our line-up of cheap 45 Auto ammunition available in the bullet categories laid out below:

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About This Data

Firearm Used Ruger SR45

Barrel Length 4.5"

Distance to Target 10 Feet

Barrier 4-layer cloth

Ammo	5-shot average penetration depth	5-shot average diameter	5-shot average velocity
20rds – 45 ACP +P Barnes TAC-XPD 185gr. TAC-XP SCHP Ammo	13.82"	0.77"	911
20rds - 45 ACP Black Hills 230gr. Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo	18.72"	0.59"	858
50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical Bonded 230gr. +P HP Ammo	13.76"	0.81"	930
50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical HST 230gr. +P HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP +P Federal Premium Law Enforcement 230gr. HST JHP Ammo	13.08"	0.85"	890
50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical HST 230gr. HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 230gr. JHP Ammo	14.96"	0.84"	856
50rds – 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical 230gr. Hydra-Shok JHP Ammo 1000rds – 45 ACP Federal Premium Hydra-Shok 230gr. JHP Ammo	20"	0.49"	822
20rds – 45 ACP Federal Personal Defense 230gr. JHP Ammo	21.82"	0.45"	822
20rds - .45 ACP Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. HP Ammo 200rds - .45 ACP Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. HP Ammo	14.18"	0.62"	989
20rds - 45 ACP Hornady Custom 230gr. +P XTP HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady Custom 230gr. +P XTP HP Ammo	19.34"	0.56"	905
20rds - 45 ACP Magtech First Defense 165gr. +P Solid Copper HP Ammo	11.08"	0.8"	1068
50rds - 45 ACP Nosler Match Grade Handgun 185gr. JHP Ammo	23.64"	0.46"	1003
25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 185gr. +P HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP +P Remington Golden Saber 185gr. JHP Ammo	16.42"	0.73"	1096
25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 185gr. HP Ammo	13.92"	0.71"	954
25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. HP Ammo	20.74"	0.58"	823
20rds - 45 ACP Sig Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition 200gr. V-Crown JHP Ammo	20.26"	0.5"	895
50rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 230gr. HP Ammo	14.3"	0.68"	770
20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo	15.18"	0.69"	1002
20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo	12.42"	0.72"	805
20rds – 45 ACP Winchester Defender 230gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo 200rds – 45 ACP Winchester Defender 230gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo	17.22"	0.7"	896
20rds - 45 ACP Winchester Super-X 185gr. Silver Tip Hollow Point Ammo	11.08"	0.83"	919
20rds - 45 ACP Winchester W Train & Defend 230gr. JHP Ammo	23.02"	0.45"	873
50rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 200gr. +P HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 200gr. +P HP Ammo	13.1"	0.73"	1076
20rds - 45 ACP New Black Hills 185gr. JHP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP New Black Hills 185gr. JHP Ammo	20.58"	0.5"	995
50rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo 500rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo	12.04"	0.71"	1000
50rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber Bonded 230gr. BJHP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber Bonded 230gr. BJHP Ammo	18.12"	0.54"	861
50rds - 45 ACP Nosler Match Grade Handgun 230gr. JHP Ammo	24.82"	0.45"	893
20rds – 45 ACP +P Hornady Critical Duty 220gr. FlexLock Ammo 200rds – 45 ACP +P Hornady Critical Duty 220gr. FlexLock Ammo	19.54"	0.56"	991
20rds - 45 ACP Hornady XTP 200gr. HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady XTP 200gr. HP Ammo	17.92"	0.53"	900
20rds - 45 ACP G2 Research RIP 162gr. HP LF Ammo	11.32"	0.45"	992
50rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. HP Ammo	14.18"	0.91"	955
50rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. +P HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. +P HP Ammo	17.54"	0.79"	976
20rds – 45 +P ACP Black Hills 230gr. JHP Ammo	19.78"	0.64"	922
20rds - 45 ACP Federal Hydra-Shok PD Low Recoil 165gr. HP Ammo	14.74"	0.65"	1044
20rds - 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 230gr. HP Ammo	16.44"	0.67"	862
50rds – 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. BJHP Ammo	18.96"	0.69"	849

Federal Ammo

Hornady Ammo

Winchester Ammo

Black Hills Ammunition

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More About 45 ACP Ammo

What is the Difference Between “.45,” “.45 Auto,” and “.45 ACP?”

There really is no difference for these terms, as they are largely used to describe the .45 ACP, which is the official name of the cartridge. When someone says “.45” in reference to ammunition, they are usually referring to the .45 ACP. The same goes for “.45 Auto,” as “ACP” stands for “Automatic Colt Pistol.” However, they may be referring to the .45 GAP, which stand for “Glock Automatic Pistol.” The GAP, however, is much less common than the ACP.

Are the .45 ACP and .45 GAP Interchangeable?

No. Unlike other cartridges (the .38 Special and .357 Magnum, for example), these two cartridges are not interchangeable at all. The .45 ACP was created by Colt’s Manufacturing Company for their line of pistols, while Glock created .45 GAP ammunition for their own products. These cartridges have different dimensions, most noticeably a vastly different overall length.

How Far Can a .45 ACP Effectively Shoot?

The .45 ACP is an effective handgun round for target shooting, but it is generally limited to about 50 yards of effective range, a fairly common maximum distance for handguns. For example, the Gold Medal rounds with 185-grain FMJ bullets (a light bullet for this cartridge), when zeroed to 25 yards, will drop 3.1 inches at 50 yards and almost two feet at 100. This makes using the .45 ACP at distances over 50 yards extremely difficult.

Is the .45 ACP Ideal for Self-Defense?

Yes. The .45 ACP can deliver effective speed and velocity for personal and home protection. The cartridge has muzzle velocities generally in the range of 800 to 1,100 feet per second, and can go even higher if you are firing +P ammunition. It also delivers muzzle energies approaching 500 foot-pounds, which drives effective penetration and expansion to the target. The only downside for .45 ACP is that it may be too large for some conceal-carry users and could have too much recoil for effective secondary shots. If you are using the .45 ACP for self defense, you will want expanding rounds such as jacketed hollow points.

Is the .45 ACP Better Than the 9mm Luger?

That depends on what you want from your cartridge. If you value sheer strength and stopping power above all, the .45 ACP is your best option. However, the 9mm Luger ammunition is a compact yet powerful cartridge that is ideal for many gun owners.

Which Firearms Commonly Load the .45 ACP?

While there are many weapons that can load the .45 ACP, the most famous is the 1911-style semi-automatic pistols. These firearms can be chambered for many different calibers, but the 1911/.45 ACP relationship is one of the most famous and successful gun/cartridge combinations in the world.

45 ACP

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